Article and Photos by: Kristina Dawn
SEATTLE/PORTLAND — The Hotline Spring Tour swung through the perfectly drizzly Pacific Northwest Wednesday evening, kicking things off in downtown Seattle. Hundreds of jean jacket doting music lovers gathered into Neumo’s, a seemingly hole-in-the-wall club where bands such as M83, Adele and even Muse have performed in previous years.
Opening both nights in Seattle and Portland with “A Brand New Life,” from their newest EP Into Focus, Panama Wedding got the party started in a flash. Drinking red solo cups full of good ole’ American brew, the relaxed four piece smashed through a seven song set which included a tasteful cover of “When You Were Young” by the world famous band The Killers. Panama closed out their full thirty-five minute performance with the crowd chanting along with the insanely catchy “Infinite High.”
With Shania Twain’s “Man I Feel like a Woman” blaring through the monitors, Australian natives The Griswolds busted through the curtains to take their places on stage. Rocking freshly colored red hair and some stylish tiger printed boots, front man Chris Whitehall welcomed a packed Portland crowd on Cinco de Mayo with a Spanish guitar piñata in one hand and his own uniquely engraved “equality” ‘64 Fender Mustang in the other. Opening with hit “Down and Out” and fan favorite “16 Years” from their 2014 LP Be Impressive, The Griswolds had the room uncontrollably jumping as one giddy entity.
Roughly halfway through the twelve song set, The Griswolds debuted two highly anticipated songs “Out of My Head” and “Role Models” from an upcoming album (that is yet to be named). Guitarist Danny Duke commented before the show: “The new album will be insane, we collaborated with a lot of amazing artists we’ve looked up to for years. It’s a lot different from our old stuff and we’re very eager to get this new music out there.” With a slightly funkier and hip hop infused sound, rather than their previous indie-rock feel, The Griswolds gave the Pacific Northwest a taste of what’s to come in the near future—and by the reaction of the audience, the taste was extremely satisfying.
With a finale of the popular clap happy “Beware the Dog” and “Heart of a Lion,” Magic Man’s guitarist Sam Vanderhoop Lee made a special appearance in Seattle, playing alongside The Griswolds guitarist Danny Duke and bassist Tim John. The Griswolds wrapped up their vivacious performance with singer Chris Whitehall taking an accidental dive off of Lachlan West’s kick drum, resulting in the full band writhing on the floor, tangled amongst various instruments and cables in gut wrenching laughter.
Next up, the Boston electro-rock style Magic Man kept the energy zinging, opening with the dancy “Apollo” and “Every Day” off of their 2014 LP Before the Waves. Not even three songs in the stud worthy lead singer Alex Caplow threw off his cherry red letterman style jacket, resulting in a collective ear-bursting scream from the (mostly) female audience. Wearing a posh pineapple printed button up, and his iconic brown leather shoes, Caplow floated about the stage with a bright boyish smile from ear to ear. Next up was a near perfect rendition of Bruce Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark,” followed by a new (and extremely catchy) unreleased single “Young Blood.” Guitarist Sam took advantage of the onstage monitors, tightrope walking along the edge while shredding a cream Don Grosh electric with impressive and effortless precision.
Closing their section of the Hotline Spring Tour with big time hit “Paris,” (which has over 15,000,000 plays on Spotify), Magic Man swiftly exited the stage, returning shortly for an encore with every member of Panama Wedding and The Griswolds for a saucy rendition of R. Kelly’s “Ignition Remix.” Combining a freestyle rap verse by The Griswolds merch manager Jay Bonisolli and tag teamed verses sung by Chris Whitehall and Alex Caplow, the Hotline Spring tour’s Pacific Northwest dates came to an epic close with a monstrous dog pile containing a tangled mixture of limbs, guitars and tears of laughter from every member.